The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-07-14

Posts, have signiied their intention, [
am informed, to remain away from
the Encampment, in case [ visit the
city at that time. Without consider
ing the merit Of such an excuse, L
feel that | ought not be the cause of
such non-attendance. The time and
place of the encampment were fixed
long before my invitations were re-
ceived. Those desiring to participate
in its proceedings should be first re-
garded, and nothing should be permit
ted to interfere with their intentions.
Another consideration of more i'm
portance than all others, remains to
be noticed. The fact was referred to
by you when you verbally presented
the invitation of the citizens Of st.
Louis that the coming encampment
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
would be the first held in Southern
State. | suppose this fact was men
toned as a pleasing indication Of the
fraternal feeling fast gaining ground
throughout the entire land as an earn
est that the Union has really and
in fact been saved in sentiment and
spirit with all the benefits it vc1ch-
safes to a united people. [ can not
rid myself of the belief that the least
discord on this propitious occasion
might retard the progress OF the SEN
timent of common brotherhood which
the Grand Army Of the Republic has
so good AN opportunity to increase
and foster. | certainly ought not to
be the cause Of such discord in any
event or upon any pretext. 1t seems
to me that you and the citizens Of st.
Louis are entitled to this unreserved
statement Of the conditions which
have constrained me to forgo my con-
templated visit and withdraw my ac
ceptance of your invitation. My
presence in your city at the time you
have indicated can be of but little mo-
ment compared with the Importance
of a cordial and harmonious enter
tainment of your other guests. [ as
sure you that [ abandon my plan
without the least personal feeling ex-
cept regret constrained thereto by
sense Of duty, actuated by a desire to
save any embarrassment to the people
of st. Louis or their expected guests,
and with a heart full of grateful ap-
probation of the sincere and unafect-
ed kindness of your citizens. Hoping
the encampment may be all occasion
OF much usefulness, and that its pro-
ceedings may illustrate the highest
patriotism Of American citizenship, [
am yours, very sincerely.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
THE SECOND LETTER.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, July Mayor
Francis, as Chairman of the special
committee appointed in February last
by the General Executive Committee
having in charge the preparations for
the Grand Army Encampment to in
vite President Cleveland to visit this
city, received the following response
by mail to-day:
"ExECUTIvE MANSION
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1887.
To David R. Francis, Mayor Of the city Of St. Louis;
Change and JOHN W. Noble commander Frank P
Blair Post, No. 1, G. A. r., Committee:
'GENTLEMEN-Wh While | have hith-
crto made 10 formal response to your
invitation given in February last to
myself and Mrs. Cleveland to attend
the National Encampment of the
Grand Army Of the Republic, to be
held in ST.. Louis from the 9th to the
3Oth Of September next, [ have ver-
bally indicated my purpose to accept
it if should find it possible then to
be absent from Washington.
THE statement contained in your
letter that the organization was never
in so flourishing a condition as now,
nor its membership so large; that no
effort is being spared by the citizens
OF St. Louis to insure a welcome OF
unusual warmth at this, the first ell
campment Of that body ever held in
Southern State, and your suggestion
that mo compliment more fitting
could be bestowed upon the valiant
defenders Of common country by
the Chief Executive of restored
Union, and none would be more high
ly appreciated than that conferred by
his presence at such time and place,
enlisted my feeling and interest.
More recently indications have
been disclosed that, however correctly
you expressed the prevailing senti-
ment in the Grand Army, there are
mem bers Of some posts Of that body
entertaining different feelings in re-
spect to my acceptance. and that my
acceptance Of your invitation would
lead to discord in the organization as
well as an interruption of cordiality
at the coming encampment.
"Without entering into discussion
of these opinions, and unmoved by
any feeling, although | deeply regret
the condition, I can but regard it my
duty to refrain from contributing by
my action to so undesirable a result.
Nothing can by of greater i'm mportance
in connection with the encampment
than the free and unrestrained mani
festation by its participants of that
patriotic fraternity Of feeling suggest
ed by the place of holding it, and
which is at once the proof of the COM
plete success Of their arms and the
highest glory of our veteran soldiers.
Il am constrained, therefore. to
withhold my purposed acceptance of
your invitation. In doing SO | assure
you of my unfeigned hope and sincere
wish that III the agreeable entertain
ment prepared for them by the hos
pitable people of St. Louis the vet
Grams of the Grand Army may enjoy
the most pleasant, profitable and use
full reunion in their history. Very
truly yours, GROVER CLEVELAND"
WASHINGTON, July 7.-Mr. Cleve-
lands letter, dated July 4, and ad-
dressed to Mayor Francis, of ST.
Louis, alone, was given out from the
White House here last night to the
Washington Press and for a special
to the St. Louis Republican. The
latter paper was to furnish the letter
| to tho Associated Press at ST T,o1is